Qatar Starts Gulf U-17 Cup 2026 Campaign Against Debutant China

Qatar will launch its Gulf U-17 Cup 2026 campaign against tournament debutants China today, aiming to secure a winning start on home soil as the ten-team competition gets under way in Doha.

Opening Matches and Schedule

The opening Group A match is set for 5:45pm at Grand Hamad Stadium, with Qatar hoping to use home advantage to take an early step toward the semi-finals. Later on Friday, the United Arab Emirates will meet Bahrain at Hamad bin Khalifa Stadium, kickoff at 8pm.

Groups, Coaches and Squads

Qatar, under coach Nicholas Arnaldo, has been placed in Group A alongside the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Bahrain and China. Group B holds the defending champions Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Yemen and Egypt. The host nation has named a 23-player squad, with Arnaldo relying on a mix of youth to produce a strong showing. For China, the tournament marks its first appearance, adding a fresh challenge to the opener.

Tournament Format, Venues and Historical Context

Saudi Arabia will open its title defence on Saturday against Egypt at Grand Hamad Stadium, while Iraq faces Yemen at Saoud bin Abdulrahman Stadium. The group stage continues through 29 October, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the semi-finals on 1 November. The final is scheduled for 4 November at Grand Hamad Stadium. The competition comprises 23 matches played at three venues and brings together the eight Gulf Football Federation member associations plus the invited sides China and Egypt. The expanded lineup is meant to give stronger competition and useful preparation for forthcoming international assignments, including the FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2026. Saudi Arabia won the inaugural edition in Qatar in 2025, beating the United Arab Emirates 2-0 in the final.